Summer & Winter

Working on my reconstructed jacket today, the colors reminded me of a sample I wove not too long ago.   The weave structure is Summer and Winter, 4 shaft, 4 blocks.

Oh, boy, do I love those colors!  I think I need to revisit the idea for that project.  Hmmm.

Reconstructed Jacket

After attending a meeting of the Wearable Art Connection of Southern California last Saturday where I saw an inspiring fashion show, I started looking through my collection of sweaters and tee shirts for reconstructed clothing.   I have a lot of oranges, purples, and reds that just seemed to really want to be made into something.  I chose the colors I wanted to use and started by cutting various lengths of fabric.

Then I laid out the pieces, trying to get an overall balance between the different colors.

  
I'm  trying to use some of the existing elements of the clothing.  Here you can see a section where I left a button closing intact and am using part of a sweatshirt style pocket.

 Finally, I started sewing them together, wrong sides facing, using a regular zigzag stitch which causes the fabric to ripple and curl in an interesting way.

I love the way this is working!  The back is completely sewn together, and I hope to finish the front tomorrow. 

Swedish Lace Weave

I've been weaving a lot, just not being consistent about posting here to let you know what I'm up to!


Below is a scarf that I wove using a Swedish Lace weave as the border:

 Underneath is the fabric I wove next in creamy, off-white & natural.

I liked this so much that I decided to tie on another warp and weave it in another color which is shown here:

  The tying on was more than a little problematic.  Even though I tied the two warps together using a weaver's knot which is quite flat, the knots were still tight going through the reed, and I had to tug on about every two threads to pop them through.  Then, of course, they had to be wiggled and jiggled to get them through the heddles.  Aaagh!  I'm sure I could have threaded and rethreaded my loom several times in the time I spent tying on the second warp.  So tell me... Why does anyone think tying on is a good idea?

Reconstructed Clothing

In addition to weaving, I've been designing reconstructed clothing.  It's rather addictive!  A trip to the thrift store usually results in finding several things that inspire an idea.  In January I taught a workshop for a group of women from the weaving guild I belong to.  Some were finished with their garment by the end of the workshop, but most had some finishing up to do.  Monday, February 14, is the general guild meeting, and everyone has agreed to wear their creations to the meeting so I can take their pictures.  In the meantime, here are some things I've been working on.

This is one of the first pieces I did; monochromatic, various textures.

And my first attempt using a variety of prints.  This was really fun!

Continuing with the prints in a brown palette.

Neutral palette.  This is very soft and comfortable.  I was with a friend at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach last month, and two women stopped me to ask about it.  "Did I sell them?"  I gave them my business card; waiting to hear from them.  Next time I'll get their numbers!

I partially completed this one prior to the workshop, so I could use it for demonstration of several techniques.  I learn something new every time.

And the most recent.  Just finished this one yesterday.  I love the combination of green and brown!

Back on Monday.  Hope to have lots to show you after the guild meeting!